Multnomah County Homeless Response Plan 'best path forward'

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Calling it "the best path forward to address homelessness in our community,” Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler released the final version of their Homeless Response Action Plan.

Since the plan's first draft was released in March, public feedback was accepted through various ways and incorporated into this final version, officials said.

Among the public suggestions now woven into this plan are an acknowledgment that East County cities are different in both diversity and service environments, and adding a member of the public to an oversight committee for the plan and the Joint Office of Homeless Services.

The plan still needs final approval from the Multnomah Board of County Commissioners and the Portland City Council. A vote will likely take place in July.

“The embedded collaboration and clear goals outlined in this plan give us the best path forward to address homelessness in our community," Vega Pederson said in a statement.

In his statement, Wheeler said he was "encouraged by this plan's commitment to address Portland's homeless crisis with measurable outcomes, meaningful data, a strong focus on behavioral health and clear accountability on who leads each action."

"This unified approach will help us better serve our community, particularly our most vulnerable populations.”

Key points of the plan

The finalized version of the Homeless Response Action Plan calls for sheltering or housing nearly 2700 more people by the end of 2025, add another 1000 shelter units, work to reduce homelessness among the most vulnerable, add hundreds of beds for behavioral health, increase the affordable housing supply and open a drop-off sobering center.

The city and county intend to open almost 300 shelter beds by the end of this year, expand case management services for those who are homeless with significant behavioral issues, help more people leaving prison find housing and health care and identify 20 commercial buildings downtown that could be converted into housing units.

"These goals actually look at shifting the long-term use of the building from commercial to residential, so it would be bringing additional housing into the downtown core, not just on a temporary basis and not just for people currently experiencing homelessness," said Ryan Deibert, the director of the Multnomah County Homeless Response.

At this point, officials have identified 17 commercial buildings but are keeping the specifics quiet until they can work out the details.

KOIN 6 News will have more information later in the day and will continue to follow this story.